Frequently Asked Questions

Location and Access

Q: Where is "the" Apple Hill^®?
A: There is no one ranch that is Apple Hill^®. There are 56 of us and we invite you to enjoy the unique experiences that we each offer!

Q: How do I get to Apple Hill^® from Sacramento? Or - from South Lake Tahoe?
A: The Apple Hill^® ranches are located north of Highway 50 between Placerville and Pollock Pines, about 1 hour east of Sacramento and 1 hour west of South Lake Tahoe. Recommended exits are Exit 48 or Exit 54, although you may take any exit marked as "Apple Hill Scenic Drive" located between Exits 48 and 54. Apple Hill^® Growers Association Cider Press guides and maps are available at each ranch.

Q: How do I find and get around Apple Hill^®?
A: Locate us on the California locations map (p. 6 of the Cider Press guide), on the Apple Hill^® map (p. 24-25 of the Cider Press guide) or at www.applehill.com. A relaxing way to get around Apple Hill^® during October weekends is to leave your car at one of the two Apple Shuttle Lots and take the free shuttle (p. 14 of the Cider Press guide).

Q: Where can I find information on your Shuttle service?
A: Check the El Dorado Transit Shuttle page for more information

Days, Hours, and Events

Q: When does Apple Hill^® open?
A: Time Out Spa, Boa Vista Orchards, the wineries, and the brewery are open year round. Other ranches open in the spring with flowers and others are open throughout the summer with vegetables, berries, peaches, nectarines, and pears. Read the Cider Press guide or visit www.applehill.com.

Q: When does the apple season start?
A: When the apples are ripe. The exact date varies. The "early" apples (Gravenstein, Jonathan, JonaGold, Gala, McIntosh) ripen in mid-August followed by Red and Golden Delicious in September. Most ranches open on Labor Day weekend. See pages 24-25 in the Cider Press guide, or www.applehill.com.

Q: When does the _______ apple variety ripen?
A: Contact a ranch growing this variety for specific ripening dates. See: "Apples & Other Fruit Guide" Grower Contact Info

Q: What goes on at Apple Hill^®?
A: Check the Calendar of Events And - The Guides page under the "Attractions & Products Guide"

Q: Where can I find out about Events at Apple Hill^®?
A: Check the Calendar of Events Contact the individual ranches for details about their specific events. Grower Contact Info

Q: Are most of the ranches open during the week?
A: Most ranches ARE open during the week in September and October. Smaller ranches may be closed in the middle of the week. Larger ranches DO have crafters during the week! Grower Contact Info

Questions the Growers Get Asked - a lot!

Q: How many crops a year do you get off your trees?
A: Just one. But if you find some trees that can do more, please let us know!

Q: What do you do the rest of the year?
A: We plant trees, prune trees, irrigate trees, test recipes, have meetings, and enjoy the quality of the farming life. Most of us hold outside jobs too!

Q: What is the difference between apple juice and apple cider?
A: The difference is only the name. Apple juice and apple cider are the same stuff.

Q: When do you put the sugar in the cider?
A: Never! Our ciders are made from Apple Hill^® apples - and nothing else.

Q: What kind of apples do you make pie out of?
A: Any kind. Everyone seems to have their own favorites for apple pie. The tart varieties require more sweetener. Some bakers prefer to combine a sweeter apple, such as a Golden Delicious, with a tart apple, such as a Granny Smith, for the sweet/sour taste combination.

Q: Are your baked goods fresh?

A: You can't get any fresher. They're all baked right on the ranches, usually the same day you eat them.

Q: Where are your restrooms?

A: While some ranches offer "real" restrooms, most ranches provide the down-home country, outdoor portable variety.

Lodging & Dining - Support those who advertise with us

Q: Where can I find a campsite nearby? Or - Is there a hotel nearby?
A: Check the Lodging & Dining Link on the Links of Interest page Or - The El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce/Visitors' Bureau website

Q: Which ranches serve lunch during the week?
A: Check the Growers Serving Lunch page

Questions the Office Gets Asked - a lot!

Q: Do the ranches accept credit/debit cards and checks? I don't want to bring cash...
A: Yes, the ranches do accept forms of payment other than cash. Bring your ID as you may be required to show it with checks and credit cards.

Q: Some links on your webpage are not working. On the _______ link, it takes me to a blank page and in the lower left corner, it says "Done". Is that page really blank?
A: If you're having trouble with the website, please contact us right away!

In the case of weblinks that don't seem to work, try these tips.
    1) BROWSER CACHE: You may be looking at a previous year’s Applehill.com pages because your "Internet Cache" (where your previously-visited web pages are stored) hasn’t been refreshed since our most recent edits. First, try using the "Refresh" option in your browser to refresh the page contents. If this does not display the page correctly for you, try deleting your browser history.
    NOTE: If you rely on your previously-visited pages in the drop-down list at the URL/Address field in your browser, rather than saving the links to your permanent "Favorites"/shortcuts list, you will delete the entries on this list, as well as other internet temporary files. Consult with your computer support technician before taking this step. (Our Webmaster can also provide this service for you.)

    2) ADOBE ACROBAT READER: Many of the pages and links on the Applehill.com site require that you have the FREE Adobe Reader application installed, as they are Adobe “.PDF” files. Normally, these files will simply pop up when you click the corresponding link. If you don’t have Adobe Reader installed, you will receive either a blank page, or an error. You can download Adobe Reader here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Remember to read the System Requirements to ensure that your computer meets or exceeds the installation specification steps, so it will run the Adobe application.

Q: Do any of your growers offer Organic produce?
A: Yes! Check the Organic Growers page for details on each one.

Q: Where can I find out about Educational school tours?
A: Contact the individual ranches directly, as each ranch schedules tours independently. See: "Attractions & Products Guide" for the ranches with tours.  Grower Contact Info

Q: Where can I find out about Craft Booths? Or - How can I sell my crafts at Apple Hill^®?
A: Contact the individual ranches directly, as each ranch contracts for their vendors on an independent basis  See: "Attractions & Products Guide"  for the ranches with crafts. Grower Contact Info

Q: Where is the train?
A: At El Dorado Orchards, #19 on the Apple Hill^® map.

Q: Where is the fishing pond?
A: At High Hill Ranch, #1 on the Apple Hill^® map.

Q: Can I bring my dog along to the ranches?
A: Dogs ARE allowed on a leash at most ranches - Ask at the smaller ranches (which are very often the farmers' homes)

October-Specific Questions

Q: Which ranches have Pumpkins?
A: Check the Guides page under "Apples & Other Fruit"

Q: How can I find out which ranches are not open everyday in October?
A: Check the Guide for ranches that are not open everyday in October

Q: Which ranches are open daily after Halloween?
A: Check the Guide for ranches that are open daily after Halloween
If you have a question that you would like to add, please email us via the "Contact Us" link!